As part of the 2026 Philanthropy and Social Innovation Week, the National Foundation for Civil Society Development is organizing the conference "Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Philanthropy – Drivers of Local Community Development" on September 23 and 24, 2026, at the Arsenal in Zadar.
The conference will bring together representatives from civil society organizations, foundations, and philanthropic bodies, social entrepreneurs and innovators, representatives of local and regional government, public institutions, the academic community, and the financial sector, as well as domestic and international experts and practitioners.
The conference will focus on the role of social innovation, social entrepreneurship, and philanthropy in developing stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive local communities. Particular attention will be paid to developing new solutions for the needs and challenges facing local communities, creating an enabling environment for social innovation and social entrepreneurship, fostering philanthropy and new models for financing social impact, and connecting various sectors to build cooperation at local, national, and European levels.
The conference will provide an opportunity to showcase experiences and examples of best practice from Croatia and other European countries, as well as to facilitate knowledge exchange among organizations and individuals working in various ways for the benefit of their communities. Alongside international and domestic experts, the conference will feature organizations and initiatives that are already developing concrete responses to social, economic, and environmental challenges within local communities through their work.
Participants and speakers will include representatives from Ashoka Europe, Impact Europe, the Mozaik Foundation, the Croatian LEADER Network, Erste&Steiermärkische Bank d.d., Šibenik-Knin County, and the academic community. They will present diverse perspectives on the development of social innovation, social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, social impact financing, local development, and education.
By hosting this conference, the National Foundation continues to create a space for connecting the knowledge, experiences, and resources of various stakeholders, aiming to foster new forms of collaboration and strengthen the capacity of local communities to address their actual needs.
The conference is being held as part of the Philanthropy and Social Innovation Week, through which the National Foundation for Civil Society Development—in cooperation with the European Foundation for Philanthropy and Social Development (coordinator of the ZaDobro.BIT! Foundation Forum)—marks European Philanthropy and Foundation Day (October 1st) for the eleventh time. This year's celebration is held under the theme "Philanthropy for People and Planet", which focuses on the connection between the well-being of people and the preservation of the planet, and encourages the philanthropic sector to contribute to more just, inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.
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